The Successful Hepatitis C Study America Never Heard About

(Health Secrets) If one were to take a look at the impressive credentials of Dr. Burton Berkson they would likely think that any study he conducted would easily find its way to publication – especially one which demonstrated remarkable success against chronic hepatitis C.

Such was not the case with the Berkson Clinical Study in the U.S., despite Dr. Berkson’s credentials. Instead, the U.S. study ended up being published in the German medical journal Medizinishche Klinik.

A sample of Doctor Berkson’s credentials:

Assist. Professor, Rutgers University

Assoc. Professor, Chicago State University

Visiting Professor, Max Planck Institute

Consultant Mushroom Poisoning, Center for Disease Control

Toxicology Consultant, New Mexico Poison Control Center

Principal Investigator, FDA, IV Thiocatic Acid (Alpha-Lipoic Acid)

Member, New Mexico Medical/Legal Panel

Attending Physician, White Sands Missile Range

Member, El Paso Fund Alternative Medicine Committee

President of the Integrative Medical Center of New Mexico

Why the study wasn’t published in the U.S.

The last two items in the credentials may give a hint of why Berkson’s study was never published in America. The real publication killer, however, was likely the fact that the study used a non-patentable inexpensive therapy of common dietary supplements and healthy diet and lifestyle changes which had an estimated cost of less than $2000 per year. Such a low cost would be quite a threat to the profits mainstream medicine rakes in on hepatitis C.

An estimated 3.2 million people in the U.S. have chronic hepatitis C, a contagious liver disease that results from infection with the Hepatitis C virus. 17,000 people are newly infected with the hepatitis C virus each year and 85% go on to develop chronic hepatitis. Mainstream medicine essentially offers two treatment options: antiviral treatments (such as interferon) or liver transplants.

Antiviral treatments costs range well upwards of tens of thousands of dollars annually. The treatments are successful no more than 30% of the time and side effects can be horrific, especially so with interferon.

Liver transplant surgery costs $300,000 or more during the first 3 months alone – plus the continued costs of thousands of dollars for anti-rejection drugs and health care facilities visits. It too can be painful and debilitating. The 15 year survival rate is about 58%.

The Berkson Clinical Study

In the Berkson Clinical Study, 3 patients were selected at random from a group of about 50 chronic hepatitis C charts at the Integrative Medical Center of New Mexico in Las Cruces. Each patient was given daily doses of the antioxidants alpha lipoic acid, milk thistle (silymarin) and selenium (selenomethiomine).

The patients also took vitamins B, C, and E and a mineral supplement each day. They were requested to eat a diet that included at least 6 servings of fresh vegetables and fruits, 4 oz or less of meat per meal, and 8 glasses of water. It was also suggested that they reduce stress and exercise, including at least a 1-mile walk 3 times a week.

The patients

One of the patients had been treated with steroids and interferon without success. A mass in her liver was diagnosed as probable cancer and she was told there was no hope. Another patient had similarly been treated with interferon without success. She had been told a liver transplant was her only option. The third patient was on the verge of transplant surgery when she decided to investigate a more conservative approach.

The results

From the study’s Conclusion:

“All three women recovered quickly and their laboratory values remarkably improved. Furthermore, liver transplantation was avoided and the patients are back at work, carrying out their normal activities, and feeling healthy.”

Author: Tony Isaacs

Tony Isaacs, is a natural health advocate and researcher and the author of books and articles about natural health, longevity and beating cancer including "Cancer's Natural Enemy". Mr. Isaacs also has The Best Years in Life website for baby boomers and others wishing to avoid prescription drugs and mainstream managed illness and live longer, healthier and happier lives naturally. He is currently residing in scenic East Texas and frequently commutes to the even more scenic Texas hill country near San Antonio and Austin to give lectures in health seminars. Mr. Isaacs also hosts the CureZone "Ask Tony Isaacs - featuring Luella May" forum as well as the Yahoo Health Group "Oleander Soup". He is working on a major book project due for publication later this year. Mr. Isaacs and his partner Luella May can be heard live every Wednesday evening on "The Best Years in Life Radio Show".